A/N: Rated M for major character death, alcoholism and graphic depictions or chronic depression. Warnings may be added at the beginning of chapters as I come to them.
This story will be written in a series of one-shots, in chronological order but occasionally with major time skips in between.
Another afternoon spent at the bar, wallowing in self pity and past tragedies. Another drink, another fight, another night spent bent over the toilet.
When did his life get like this?
Francis looked up at the bathroom wall, waiting for the wave of nausea he knew was coming. 'I shouldn't have had that last drink.' He thought.
A very small, very quiet part of his mind knew that he should have never had the first.
He leant his head down as another wave of nausea overtook him.
Quiet footsteps padded down the hall towards the bathroom. The door opened and a small head peaked in. Blond curls fallen into his face and messy from sleep. Big, violet eyes staring innocently at the sight before him. The boy couldn't be older than ten, yet he didn't seem surprised by the sight.
He opened the door fully and stepped into the room.
"Papa.." His voice was soft, quiet. "Are you alright? Come on, Papa. Let's get you to bed. Allons-y." He rubbed Francis's back gently.
"Ah, Mathieu..." Francis wiped some puke from the corner of his mouth and looked at his son warily. He felt ashamed. How could he possibly let the boy see him like this? It was terrible. Disgraceful. Yet it had happened so many times before. "Désolé, Mathieu... Go back to bed. Get your father for me please."
A flash of sorrow and pain within violet eyes. "My father... Papa, he's..." Matthew bit his lip and looked at Francis, hoping he wouldn't have to explain again.
"Oh." Francis stared back at Matthew. "Right. Sorry. I forgot." He lowered his eyes and slowly stood up. He swayed and had to hold onto Matthew's shoulder for support.
Matthew began walking Francis to his bedroom.
"Papa... You said alcohol was poison. Why do you drink it?"
Francis laid in his bed and looked into the innocent eyes of his son.
"Well, Mathieu, it's simple. I have things inside of me that I need to kill."
